The non-conference portion of the schedule will feature all games at home except for three, two games being part of the Naismith Memorial hall of Fame Tournament and a third game as part of the Big 12 / SEC Challenge and Texas Tech will play South Carolina in Columbia.

The game against Rice at the Coliseum is part of a throw-back game, complete with throw-back uniforms, something I don’t think the basketball team has ever had (i.e. uniforms of the throwback variety) so it should be a pretty cool event.

Overall, the Red Raiders have nine nonconference home dates at the United Supermarkets Arena and a throwback matchup with former Southwest Conference rival Rice (Dec. 16) at the Lubbock Municipal Coliseum. The Bubble served as Texas Tech’s home court from 1956-57 to 1998-99 highlighted by a 35-game winning streak and two undefeated marks during the 1994-95 and 1995-96 seasons. Further information, including ticket options, for the Coliseum game will be announced at a later date.

I always sort of wish that non-conference would be a bit beefed up, South Carolina is obviously a tough opponent after last year’s Final Four run for the Gamecocks, but other than that, I don’t know of any other tournament teams. Again, this could come back to haunt Texas Tech if they’re looking to get into the NCAA Tournament and need a beefed up strength of schedule.